PGC NEWS

Shadows: Awakening, developed by Games Farm, is a visually impressive action RPG that builds upon the legacy of its predecessor, Shadows: Heretic Kingdom. While Heretic Kingdom fell short due to design flaws, Awakening attempts to rectify these issues with a unique gameplay mechanic and stunning graphics. However, does it succeed in overcoming the shortcomings of its predecessor?

While Games Farm might not be a household name in gaming, their 3D artistry is undeniably impressive. Awakening, released in September 2018, boasts graphics that rival even AAA studios. This review delves into the strengths and weaknesses of Shadows: Awakening, exploring its innovative gameplay, beautiful visuals, and persistent design issues.

Innovative Dual-World Gameplay

Shadows: Awakening is an isometric action RPG that initially appears similar to Diablo or Grim Dawn. However, its core gameplay mechanic sets it apart. Players control a Devourer, a demon from the Shadow Realm, who possesses the souls of deceased heroes to interact with the mortal world. This allows players to seamlessly switch between the mortal and Shadow Realms at will.

This dual-world mechanic is integral to exploration, puzzle-solving, and combat. Blocked passages in the mortal realm might be accessible in the Shadow Realm, requiring constant switching between the two. Switching to the Shadow Realm can also break debilitating status effects like stuns. Even boss battles necessitate strategic realm-shifting to exploit weaknesses.

alt text describing image-01

The puzzle-solving in Awakening is surprisingly intricate for an action RPG. Players must utilize both realms and their observational skills to solve a variety of puzzles, from activating switches to navigating treacherous terrain.

alt text describing image-02

Throughout the game, players encounter and unlock additional deceased heroes, each with their own unique storylines, dialogue, and interactions. With three main characters and around 15 unlockable heroes, there’s a wealth of content to explore.

alt text describing image-03

A Visual Masterpiece

Games Farm’s graphical prowess shines in Shadows: Awakening. From the gloomy Shadow Realm to sun-baked deserts and ancient fortresses, the environments are rendered with stunning detail and a captivating color palette. Each area feels unique, with influences from various real-world cultures, creating a believable and immersive world.

alt text describing image-04

The character designs are equally impressive, with each hero possessing distinct visual characteristics and animations. The combat animations are fluid and impactful, further enhancing the visual experience.

Persistent Design Issues

Despite the innovative gameplay and breathtaking graphics, Shadows: Awakening suffers from design flaws that hold it back from true greatness. The inventory system is cumbersome and unintuitive. Instead of a standard drag-and-drop interface, players must navigate a convoluted menu system to equip items.

The difficulty scaling is also poorly balanced. The jump from Normal to Hard difficulty is jarring, with enemy damage increasing dramatically while player damage remains relatively stagnant. This forces players to resort to tedious kiting tactics and frequent reloading.

alt text describing image-05

Furthermore, the game doesn’t incentivize exploration or grinding. Experience gain is primarily tied to completing quests, with minimal rewards for defeating enemies. Combined with the lack of respawning enemies, this results in a lot of backtracking through empty environments.

Conclusion

Shadows: Awakening is a visually stunning ARPG with a unique and engaging core gameplay mechanic. However, its persistent design flaws, particularly the clunky inventory system and unbalanced difficulty, prevent it from reaching its full potential. While it represents a step forward from Heretic Kingdom, Games Farm still needs to address these issues to truly compete with the top ARPGs on the market.